How to Get a Reduced-Fare MetroCard or OMNY Card in NYC (2026 Guide)

If you’re 65 or older, or you have a qualifying disability, you can ride NYC subways and buses for half price through the MTA’s Reduced-Fare program. In 2026 the MTA is in the middle of switching this program from the old Reduced-Fare MetroCard to the new tap-and-go Reduced-Fare OMNY card — so the rules have changed a bit from a few years ago. Here’s exactly how the program works now, what it costs, and how to apply.

Who qualifies for the Reduced-Fare program?

You qualify if you are age 65 or older, or if you have a qualifying disability, including receiving Medicare benefits for a reason other than age, blindness, deafness or hearing loss, an ambulatory disability, a cognitive disability, another physical disability, or a serious mental illness paired with Supplemental Security Income (MTA.info).

How much do you pay with a reduced fare in 2026?

Following the MTA’s January 2026 fare increase, the standard base fare is $3.00 and the reduced fare is $1.50 for subways, local buses, Select Bus Service, and the Staten Island Railway — available at all times of day. On express buses, the reduced fare is $3.60 (half of the $7.25 base fare), except during weekday rush hours (6–10 a.m. and 3–7 p.m.), when full fare applies. On the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North, reduced-fare riders can save up to 50% off the full one-way peak fare.

If you use OMNY, there’s also a built-in weekly cap: pay for 12 rides within any 7-day period, and the rest of your rides for that week are free — reduced-fare riders cap out at $17.50 per week versus $35 for full-fare riders.

MetroCard or OMNY — which one will you get?

The MTA is actively transitioning Reduced-Fare customers from the classic MetroCard to the new Reduced-Fare OMNY card. If you already have a Reduced-Fare MetroCard, you can still use it until its printed expiration date, but it can no longer be refilled — you can transfer any remaining balance to a new Reduced-Fare OMNY card at a Customer Service Center. New applicants are now issued a Reduced-Fare OMNY card instead of a traditional MetroCard.

How do you apply?

As of 2026, the MTA’s online reduced-fare application is temporarily unavailable while the agency finishes the OMNY transition, so you’ll need to apply in person or by mail:

Applying in person (fastest option)

• If you’re 65 or older, you can apply at a Customer Service Center in an accessible subway station or at 3 Stone Street in Lower Manhattan and typically receive your Reduced-Fare OMNY card the same day.
• If you have a disability, you can apply in person and receive individualized assistance; you may be issued a temporary card while your documentation is reviewed.
• Bring a valid photo ID: a driver’s license, passport, IDNYC card, state photo ID, or your Medicare card plus a photo ID. Free passport-style photos are available on-site if needed.
• If you have a disability, also bring supporting documentation (a list of accepted documents is included on page 5 of the disability application).

Applying by mail

• Download the correct application — one form for seniors 65+, a different one for people with disabilities — from mta.info.
• Include a 2″ x 1.5″ passport-style photo and a copy of a valid photo ID.
• Mail the completed application to: MTA New York City Transit, Attn: Reduced Fare Program, 130 Livingston St, Brooklyn, NY 11201-9625.
• Mail applications currently take up to three months to process, so apply as early as possible if you can’t visit in person.

What You Should Do Now

• Gather your documents first. A valid photo ID (and disability documentation, if applicable) will speed up either application method.
• Choose in-person if you can. Seniors get same-day cards at Customer Service Centers; mail applications can take months.
• If you already have a Reduced-Fare MetroCard, use it until it expires, then transfer any remaining balance to a Reduced-Fare OMNY card before it’s no longer accepted.
• Call 511 (say “MTA,” then “Subway and Buses”) for help finding your nearest Customer Service Center or Mobile Sales van visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a doctor’s note to qualify by age?

No — if you’re 65 or older, proof of age (a valid photo ID showing your date of birth) is all that’s required.

Can I use my Reduced-Fare card on the AirTrain?

No. Reduced-Fare benefits do not apply to AirTrain JFK; full fare applies there.

What if my Reduced-Fare OMNY card is lost or stolen?

You can report it and request a replacement at a Customer Service Center, or call OMNY Customer Service at 877-789-6669, available 24/7.